SAULT STE. MARIE — Playing in his first game since Dec. 29, Soo Eagles goalie Paige Skoog stopped the final four shootout attempts against him as the Eagles beat the Port Huron Fighting Falcons 3-2 on Saturday at Pullar Stadium.

Skoog, acquired this month in a trade with Aberdeen, stopped 42 shots before the shootout as the Eagles improved to 4-3 in shootouts this season.

Dan Dupell gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead 21 seconds into the game. Sean Murphy scored a power-play goal from Jared VanWormer, and Matt Menta added a goal from Brandon Adams and Robin Hoglund in the second. Port Huron's Tyler Spezia scored with 8:56 remaining in regulation to tie.

In the shootout, Murphy and Hoglund scored while Michael Crowley and Adams were denied by Falcons goalie Alex Blankenburg, who stopped 37 shots.

The Eagles (33-11-4) now have a five-point lead on Kalamazoo and a six-point lead on Jamestown with 12 games remaining for all three teams. The Eagles travel to Springfield and Kalamazoo the next two weekends and then play six of their final eight games at home.

EAGLES 3, FALCONS 2: A short-handed goal by Eric Rivard gave the Eagles a two-goal cushion 37 seconds into the third period, and the Eagles withstood a 26-shot barrage in the third to get the win.

Rivard scored in the first from Hoglund and Cody Von Rueden, and Hoglund scored from Kyle Froese to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead. Brett D'Andrea scored in the second for Port Huron, and Mick Bruce scored a power-play goal in the third.